Brower, Gamble Lift Lions to AMCC Championship Game

Sophomore Peter Brower scored three goals in the first half while junior forward Jake Gamble netted the game winner to help the Lions advance to the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference men's soccer championship.

Photo Courtesy of David Sinclair
Photo Courtesy of David Sinclair
November 2, 2011
Box Score

ERIE, Pa. - Sophomore Peter Brower (Rochester, NY/McQuaid Jesuit) scored three goals in the first half while junior forward Jake Gamble (Butler, PA/Butler) netted the game winner to help the Lions defeat Pitt-Bradford and advance to the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference (AMCC) men's soccer championship.

Behrend stormed out to an early 3-0 lead only to see the Panthers explode for three unanswered goals of their own to tie the score at 3-all.  The game remained tied until Gamble netted his team leading 15th goal of the season at the 65:51 mark to propel the Lions to the victory.

Brower, who has scored at least one goal in three straight contests, put Behrend on the board early at the 15:02 mark.  Eric Vunovic (North Huntingdon, PA/Norwin) led a long ball in over the defense to Brower who chipped in the shot over the goalie.  Three minutes later, Brower scored again on a beautiful set up by Jimmy Belack (Upper St. Clair, PA/Upper St. Clair) and Gamble.  Belack led a one touch pass to Gamble who crossed the ball to Brower for the goal.

With all the momentum, Brower put home his third goal of the contest. Gamble headed the ball close to the net where Brower put the ball just across the line for the 3-0 lead. The Lions would hold onto the 3-0 lead for just over 10 minutes before Pitt-Bradford got on the board.  Toby Abdul-Razaq, last season's AMCC Co-Player of the Year, cut the lead to 3-1 at the 35:22 mark.  The score would remain 3-1 as the half ended.

The late goal by Abdul-Razaq seemed to sway the momentum to the Panthers.  Korbin Keene knocked home two goals in a five minute span to tie the score at 3-all.  

At the 65:51 mark, Gamble was able to direct a shot from the box just pass the out-stretched arms of the goalie for the game winner.  Behrend used a strong defensive effort to clear multiple last minute attempts by Pitt-Bradford to secure the 4-3 victory.

With the two assists and one goal, Gamble became the schools all-time leader in career points, surpassing former teammate Jerry Tortella's mark of 82.  

The Lions will travel to Medaille on Saturday to face the Mavericks for the fifth straight year in the AMCC Championship game.  Start time is 6 p.m.